44% wish they had the same body or weight as a friend when they look at photos.

37% feel they need to change parts of their body when comparing friends’ bodies with their own in photos.

25% are happy with their current body and weight.

The researchers also noted that Facebook users were prone to engage in negative behaviors:

31% have avoided specific food items, food groups or entire categories of food in an attempt to lose or control weight.

17% have engaged in binge eating; 7% have purged.

12% currently have or have had an eating disorder; 8% have thought they might have an eating disorder.

“Facebook is making it easier for people to spend more
time and energy criticizing their own bodies and wishing
they looked like someone else,” explained Harry Brandt, MD, director of the organization. “In this age of modern technology and constant access to smart phones and the Internet, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for people to remove themselves from images and other triggers that promote negative body image, [lead to] low self-esteem and may ultimately contribute
to eating disorders.”

Want to steer your clients toward body-positive Facebook pages? Here are a few, courtesy
of the Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt: